Lasik problems

I had lasik performed in Canada about 2 months ago on a
wavefront-guided laser Bausch and Lomb Technolas® 217z Zyoptix excimer
laser. I am 60 years old, in good health and do not take any medicine.
I have been experiencing the following conditions.

1) Having problems seeing in low light/dusk
2) Vision flucation's, blurry sometimes clear.
3) Eyes sore at night.
4) Dry eyes.
5) Difficulty driving at night. Halos, starburst, glare


I was under the impression the conditions listed above would be
temporary. Can I expect improvement when I have my 3 month
post-op evaluation? Will it take longer than 3 month for my eyes to heal
and adjust? I will be honest with you, I am really scared
that I have permanently damaged my eyes. Is there anyone that can give
me encouraging news about their lasik outcome?

Jim

 

Jim,

It is unlikely that your difficulties are permanent. Every symptom you
describe can be attributed to Lasik induced dry eyes. As a general
rule the dry eye symptoms are resolved by six months postop, but may
require maintenance such as eye drops.

We have a very plain-language detailed article about Lasik and dry
eyes with an article about dry eye treatment at

http://www.usaeyes.org/lasik/faq/lasik-dry-eyes.htm

and

http://www.usaeyes.org/lasik/faq/dry-eye-treatment.htm

plus an active patient forum where you can read and discuss your
difficulties with other patients.

http://www.USAEyes.org/Ask-Lasik-Expert/

Report your difficulties to your surgeon and insist that you be
evaluated. They can objectively measure the quality and quantity of
your tears.

It is reasonable to expect that with proper treatment and healing your
vision problems will dissipate.

Glenn Hagele
Executive Director
USAEyes (R)
Patient Advocacy Surgeon Certification

"Consider and Choose With Confidence" (TM)

Email to glenn dot hagele at usaeyes dot org

http://www.USAEyes.org

Lasik Bulletin Board
http://www.USAEyes.org/Ask-Lasik-Expert/

I am not a doctor.

Copyright 2007
All Rights Reserved

 

I am trying to get over the fact that a 60 year/old had LASIK...

As Mr. Hagele has said, give it a few months. If after 6 months you
still have these issues, then see somebody like me for an evaluation.

DrG

 

DrL> I am trying to get over the fact that a 60 year/old had
LASIK...

Otis> I am also. If he waited a few years, he probably could
have gotten a Inter-ocular lens replacement -- which would
have been more effective, and less risky than Lasik.
Now if he gets a catarack, he will have both.

 

Hey Jim,
I am a post PRK patient myself, although they are different surgeries,
the side effects are pretty much the same and I experienced all of
what you are mentioning. I am not sure but I think Lasik generally
heals faster then PRK as the epithelium tissue is burned off and has
to grow back. They had told me it would take 6 months to a year for
these side effects disappear. If you only have had the surgery 3
months ago, be patient and give yourself time. I know for me I had
poor vision in general for 3-4 months, bad halo's at night for 6- 8
months, soreness for about a year and the dry eyes seemed to last
longer...I'd say a year and a half.
I had it done here in Herzig in Toronto, they are great. I actually
have to go back soon and have it done again as I still need to wear
glasses/contacts. I had about a -10 before. Now I am about a -1.

So just be patient. It takes some time and lots of eye drops...

Cheers.

 

Jim,

The reason DrG is a bit surprised that someone age 60 would have had
Lasik is that for many people who are fully presbyopic, Refractive
Lens Exchange (RLE) is an appropriate and sometimes better option.

See http://www.usaeyes.org/lasik/faq/lasik-cle-iol-rle.htm

Glenn Hagele
Executive Director
USAEyes (R)
Patient Advocacy Surgeon Certification

"Consider and Choose With Confidence" (TM)

Email to glenn dot hagele at usaeyes dot org

http://www.USAEyes.org

Lasik Bulletin Board
http://www.USAEyes.org/Ask-Lasik-Expert/

I am not a doctor.

Copyright 2007
All Rights Reserved

 

Problems? What problems?

These are stock standard issues after LAsik. Everyone gets them to a
greater or lesser extent.

The issues with driving and low light relate to a small optic zone and
larger pupil under low light conditions, as does the fluctuating
vision.The dry eye and sore eyes at night relate to the severed
corneal nerves and reduced tear function as a result.

All this information was told to you beforehand and issued in
documents about the surgery. It is also readily available on the net
to anyone who even tries to look.

Stop fretting about your eyes and accept how things are. It will
invariably settle down over the next few months and you will not
notice the blur and dry eye.

dr grant